[slideshow] Philip Glass’ symphonic music has grown commonplace on ballet programs, yet more often than not contemporary choreographers will concoct dense, breathless and safe movement phrases to accompany Glass’ launching and looping scores. Maybe you’ll see costumes that express ‘creativity,’ but for the most part the dance feels to be trying to … [Read more...]
The Balance of Tension in Ratmansky’s new ABT “Firebird”
Igor Stravinsky’s sensational “Firebird” ballet demands a vivid design, and Simon Pastukh’s scorched, metallic forest (ignited by Wendell Harrington’s projections) along with Galina Solovyeva’s haute-goth costumes delivered a strong pop vision to Alexei Ratmansky’s new ballet for American Ballet Theatre. But on opening weekend at the Segerstrom … [Read more...]
Ratmansky’s “Firebird” for ABT Debuts Tonight in Costa Mesa
I can't wait to see what Alexei Ratmansky does with Stravinsky's "Firebird," premiering tonight during ABT's national tour. I keep thinking of the way Dumbledore's blood-red phoenix bursts into flames -- how fantastic is the mixture of avian hauteur with exploding flame. I'm also thinking of an amazing recreation of "Firebird"'s intensity at the … [Read more...]
Feet of Clay
The dreamy bubble of appreciation I was sporting for DWTS kind of popped last night. My patience for the hokey, extinct Americana scenarios (soda shops, motorcycle bad boys, zexy criminals ) was tested to the limit given this week's current events. Imagine if someone...anyone....had danced the quick step in a hoodie?? … [Read more...]
A for Effort
So I am watching "Dancing with the Stars" now. It's the single reality show in my roster at this point. And though I felt no frisson when the list of Season 11 competitors was announced, I was pleasantly surprised by the pleasure I took in the first show. While my allegiance goes to Gladys Knight, who was rightly praised for the way she "oozes" … [Read more...]
Alvin Ailey in Costa Mesa/ 2012 North American Tour
[The Los Angeles Times originally ran this review.] Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, touring for the first time under new artistic director Robert Battle, delivered a heady, reverberating concoction of pieces -- including the company premiere of Paul Taylor’s Baroque pure-dance classic “Arden Court” (1981) and the California premiere of hip-hop … [Read more...]
Pilobolus Gets a Grammy Nod
[This ran first on the LA Times' Culture blog. And sadly, Adele's Grammy sweep included a win in this category] As the leadership team of Pilobolus Dance Theater readies itself to fly to Los Angeles for Sunday’s Grammy Awards -– the group is nominated for best short form music video for “All Is Not Lost” –- the dance troupe’s co-executive director … [Read more...]
La La La Human Steps Premieres Opera-hued “New Work” in U.S.
[This ran in the L.A. Times.] Thirty-plus years after founding La La La Human Steps, Montreal-based choreographer-director Édouard Lock has become a sort of philosopher-king for the fierce and intelligent abstract dance made popular in the 1980s. While other members of that chic choreographic wave (Bill T. Jones, Karole Armitage) have since … [Read more...]
My Lunch with a Billion-Dollar Tour Director
[This article originally ran in the LA Times.] In a dark booth at the Polo Lounge, just down the street from his Beverly Hills home, tour director extraordinaire Jamie King struggles to recall the day he hung up his dance shoes for good. Though his management badly wants this interview to stay on the topic of his current feats as the … [Read more...]
Los Angeles Ballet Has Kick
[This review originally written for the LA Times.] Continuing to establish itself as a spirited and sophisticated -- if itinerant -- ballet company, Los Angeles Ballet opened its 2011-12 season over the weekend at the Alex Theatre in Glendale with a memorable cast for its distinctive, inspired “The Nutcracker.” As helmed by artistic directors … [Read more...]